Last week, before I made it back to Newcastle for the Ukraine Vigil, I was in Westminster for a “sitting Friday”. For thirteen Fridays in a session, the House sits and considers Private Members' Bills (PMB). My friend Robin Millar MP has a PMB entitled the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees Bill.
There are 12 Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committees (VAPCs) across the United Kingdom. They are an advisory public body, sponsored by the MoD, whose function is to engage at a local level with War Pensioners/Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) recipients and making representations and recommendations to Government regarding any issues experienced with those services locally.
Broadly, only about a quarter of veterans and their families are in receipt of a pension that entitles them to support from the VAPCs as they currently exist. The Bill will broaden that out more widely to give veterans and their families access to a better range of services to ensure that they are better looked after.
I took the opportunity in my speech to mention Tri Services and Veterans Support Centre, who do fantastic work son mental health, particularly preventing suicide, and homelessness for veterans at risk. My friend and Parliamentary neighbour, Jo Gideon MP, also commended their work.
As constituents may know, Tri Services is currently fundraising to buy the building that it occupies. To support that endeavour, I have written to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and looking for further engagement to see what more we can do to support it so that it can stay in that building and renovate it. You can donate via the link.